Dedicated to cemetery preservation in the great state of Ohio"A cemetery may be considered as abandoned when all or practically all of the bodies have been removed therefrom and no bodies have been buried therein for a great many years, and the cemetery has been so long neglected as entirely to lose its identity as such, and is no longer known, recognized and respected by the public as a cemetery. 1953 OAG 2978."

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Ruth Cofffey's Gravestone at the Old Burying Ground, Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

Side by Side Comparison of a Gravestone Polished with a Power Tool

This gravestone was repaired, cleaned, and polished sometime in 2013 - 2014. While the repair work to the cracks appears to have been done in an acceptable manner, however, the unnaturally bright white and shiny highly polished surface finish is indicative of other gravestones in this cemetery that have been known to be polished using a Nyalox Brush on a Power Drill. This gravestone had clear deeply carved lettering and motif that were diminished by the abrasiveness of the use of a power tool. Using power tools on gravestones is not condoned by nationally recognized professional gravestone organizations and their conservators such as NCPTT and A.G.S.

Gravestone Guardians of Ohio

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"The 3C's of Cemetery Safety - Caution, Care & Common Sense"

Sharing an timely reminder message about the importance of remaining safe while walking or working in a cemetery -- Created by Mark Morton of Gravestone Guardians of Ohio

REMINDER: Leave the Harmful Substances at Home!

From Gravestone Guardians of Ohio: "With the warm weather the cemetery season is upon us once again. A time when many will seek out the cemeteries & tombstones of the past to research, document, photograph, connect to, & just simply appreciate. When you go on your next adventure PLEASE keep this list in mind & help preserve them for others who will come after you. This is priceless history that belongs to US ALL."

Be Sure to Use the Right Products for Cleaning Gravestones

Cleaning Gravestones with Harmful Products is Worse Than Not Cleaning them at All (poster courtesy of "Gravestone Guardians of Ohio"

Do Not Move Gravestones Away from Their Original Gravesites

Don't move a gravestone away from its original gravesite even if it is broken. Once the 'stones are no longer over the bones' it can be impossible to know for sure where they should be; and the actual location of the burial and gravesite is uncertain because the stone was moved away from it.

This is What it's All About !

Restoring dignity to gravestones one at a time leads to the restoration of a whole cemetery ! This scene tells the story better than a thousand words.

"Concrete is Fatal to Old Soft Tombstones"

Sharing from "Gravestone Guardians of Ohio"

Detrimental Effects from Nyalox Nylon Brush Use on a Gravestone Can be Seen in a Few Short Years

From Brad Manzenberger: "Critics of D2 have questioned its use because "we don't know what it is going to do to the stone in 50 years." What they never seem to question is what Nyalox brushes on drills will do to a stone in 50 years. The answer to both questions is that we do not know. However, I can show example after example of stones cleaned with Nyalox within the last decade that may actually look worse in some cases than they did before any work was done. This is at Livezey Cemetery, Prairie Twp., Henry Co., IN."

Rapid Cemetery Assessment Form

Cemetery Assessment Form from the National Park Service's National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Bing Map for Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio